Over the past few weeks, I have discussed which QB, RB/WR, and TE/OL commits for the 2015 Florida State recruiting class could have the earliest impact. Today, I move onto the other side of the ball and discuss the 2015 FSU DL commits and who could see early playing time.
Luckily for the ‘Noles, there are not nearly as many starters from last season that have left and will need replacing on defense as there are on offense. However, the quality of players who left from the defensive side of the ball is very high and will almost assuredly not be replaced at the same skill level for the beginning of next season.
Returning Defensive Line Options
Although the Seminoles lost Desmond Hollins to graduation as well as Mario Edwards, Jr. and Eddie Goldman who left for the draft early, there is still talent left over from last season on the defensive line. Nile Lawrence-Stample, who missed more than half of the 2014 season after tearing his pectoral muscle against Clemson, returned just in time for the Rose Bowl loss to Oregon, and will be back for his senior season in 2015 to anchor the defensive line unit.
Due to the injuries that occurred on the defensive line this past season, many players who would have played significantly less like Chris Casher and DeMarcus Walker got more minutes, which will help prepare them for their increased role in the upcoming season. In addition to these returning players, Florida State had seven DL commits in their 2014 class, many of whom were redshirted for the 2014 season but will be available for the 2015 season.
The New Blood
Josh Sweat is a highly touted 5-star prospect out of Chesapeake, VA and yet another early enrollee at Florida State. He plays as a weak-side defensive lineman and uses a rare mixture of explosive speed off of the line and the ability to overpower offensive linemen. At 6′ 5″ and 240 pounds, he is large enough to play the position but also has room to put on more weight, which would make him a more viable run stopper.
The only downside with Sweat is that he spent the majority of his senior season of high school on the sidelines with a dislocated kneecap. Before the injury, Sweat was the top player in the ESPN 300, but after being unable to play in his senior season and show his growth, he fell to No. 11 behind a pair of other defensive linemen and a few others. Being an early enrollee will greatly benefit Sweat as he has access to FSU’s great rehabilitation facilities as of January as opposed to in May or June if he were not an early enrollee, which may make the difference between being available or unavailable for the 2015 season.
Darvin Taylor II, also out of Virginia, is the only other defensive line commit in the 2015 class currently. At 290 pounds, he will be ready, sidewise, to play the defensive tackle position from his first day on campus. He also has the strength to back up his size and a surprising amount of control over his body considering his size. However, he still needs to develop his technique if he wants to be a success at the next level and will likely not be an impact player from the start of next season but will more likely be a redshirt next season and contribute down the line.
Remaining Possible Commits
Although these are the only two DL players who have given commitments to FSU from the 2015 class, there are still a few big DL prospects who have not signed their official letter of intent yet. As of the past couple days, it would seem that Byron Cowart, a DE from Seffner, FL and the No. 1 ranked player on the ESPN 300 list, has removed the Seminoles from his list of possible schools, leaving just Auburn and Florida.
However, FSU seems to still be in the running for the No. 2 ranked player on the ESPN 300, Terry Beckner, Jr. a DT from East St. Louis, IL. According to 24/7 Sports, Beckner is projected at a 67% chance of committing to Mizzou and a 20% chance of committing to Florida State. Additionally, FSU is still recruiting Shelton Johnson, a strong-side defensive end out of Delray Beach, FL. New DL coach Brad Lawing and LB Coach Bill Miller made an in-home visit with Johnson this past weekend, and it seems likely that he will sign with the ‘Noles on National Signing Day.
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Verdict
Considering the commitments of Cowart, Beckner Jr., and Johnson are still up in the air, it is hard to factor them into the possibilities of early playing time. If Cowart or Beckner do commit with FSU, they would almost definitely see the field during their first season, potentially in a backup role. However, it would also be a consideration to put a redshirt on both of them and let them learn behind Lawrence-Stample, Casher, and Walker for a whole year before letting them take over as redshirt freshmen. With regard to the 2 current commits in the 2015 class, Sweat is the one who could see the field in 2015, but I believe that he will not be rushed back from his injury and he will be redshirted next season just to ensure that his injury is fully healed before he is called upon to take over a spot on the line.